The Human Condition in Edgar Allan Poes The Cask of Amontillado - Essay Example

These disruptions create pain, anxiety, and even terror but also wisdom and awareness.” The above quote states that all people learn by the same process. Initially, there is a disruption. This is followed by an emotional response. The emotional response calls for action, which will rectify the disruption. Once this is done, the person gains knowledge from the experience. Montessori in the short story “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar A. Poe (rpt. in James P. Place, Introduction to Literature: A Reader for Freshman Composition II, 1st ed.

[Boston: Pearson, 2011] 37- 43) is an example of a character who is altered by an aspect of the human character. In the short story, Montessor’s disruption came after he lured Fortunato to the cisterns of his manor. Having the intention of exacting cruel revenge against Fortunato, Montessori was filled with many thoughts and feelings of anger and vengeance. The root of all his bitter feelings is a slight of honor. The setting of this story is based in an era wherein one’s reputation and honor are very important since having good credibility means having trust and good connections in society.

Montessori's honor to be heavily insulted by Fortunato would seem to be a rationale for a disruption.The emotional response of Montessori to such disruption could be first seen in the form of anger and vengeance. Montessori wanted, as much as possible, to have Fortunato cruelly dealt with, that he no longer valued the life of another human being. Throughout all his plotting, Montessori brooded with quiet rage and a vendetta. It was only after the deed was done that Montessori had some change in his emotional response.

After committing his act of vengeance to Fortunato, Montessori suddenly felt sympathy towards Fortunato, and perhaps even had thoughts of letting him go. At this point, Montessori began to realize that the value of human life goes far beyond revenge.The cruel action that Montessori did was to deceive and lure Fortunato to partake of a fine drink of Sherry called Amontillado within the cisterns of his manor. After successfully luring Fortunato, Montessori had him bound in chains and left him behind to die alone with nothing to survive on.

In this manner, Fortunato would die a slow, agonizing, and despairing death.After such an ordeal, even though pushing through with the ghastly deed, Montessori learns and realizes that one cruel act from another should not beget one in return, or even beyond the last act of cruelty. If his loss is mere to one’s honor, that does not mean that he should take another man’s life. It should also be noted that even if a man were the offender, should not mercy or clemency be given as well?

Then again, it is sometimes a fact that people learn better after what they experience in life; thus, they may apply what has been learned towards other tense situations that may be encountered in the future.